Heart of Gold

'My father is Prime Minister. How could I be unaware of what's being said?'

I think that was a reasonable deflection, Aubrey thought. Straight to the fine leg boundary for four runs.

Bertie sat back. 'You're going to Lutetia soon, I hear.'

'A holiday. A rest. A chance for some gloriously uneventful days in a charming city.'

'Aubrey Fitzwilliam and uneventful days? From what I see, events have a habit of following you. Or do you instigate events to keep yourself entertained?'

Aubrey spread his hands. 'I intend to enjoy myself, that's all.'

'Very good.' The Prince nodded, as if reaching a decision. 'Aubrey, you're one of the people I trust most. You know that, don't you?'

'What is this, Bertie? You sound ominous.'

'I have a task for you, while you're in Lutetia. If you're willing.'

'Of course.'

'It is for me, but in the long run it may also prove to be for Albion.'

'Out with it.'

Prince Albert clasped his hands in front of him. 'My father's condition is likely to be hereditary. I may be susceptible to it myself. If I am, I need to know.'

'Ah.' Aubrey grimaced. 'I didn't know that. I'm sorry to hear it, Bertie. Bad show.'

The Prince nodded. For an instant, he looked pained, but he gathered himself. 'Thank you, Aubrey. I appreciate your concern.'

'And I understand the sudden importance of genealogy,' Aubrey said.

'Exactly. The madness does not strike every generation. My grandfather and his brothers were free of it. But where does it fall? How often? That's what I need to find out.'

'And you think I can do that in Lutetia?'

'My family has branches from all over the Continent. One significant twig goes back to Lutetia in the tenth century.'

Aubrey groaned at the awful pun, and the Prince looked pleased. 'That's appalling, Bertie. One day your fondness for puns is going to bring you undone.'

The Prince shrugged. 'A small weakness.'

'Lutetia. The tenth century. You're talking about the Conquest.'

'I attribute my stylishness to my Gallian blood,' the Prince said. He smiled wryly. 'But the family tree is a little murky at times.'

'As all great family trees are.'

'Indeed. There is the official story, and then there is the unofficial story. And that's where my interest lies.'

Aubrey settled back in his chair. He grinned. 'I can see myself adding some tomb-spotting and graveyard rambles to my holiday itinerary.'

'Would you, Aubrey? If it doesn't inconvenience you too much.'

'I'd be happy to do it.'

'I have some papers, some suggestions for you. You can pick them up on your way out.' The Prince stood and shook Aubrey's hand. 'This means a great deal to Albion.'

'I'd do it for you, Bertie, let alone the nation.'

'To Maidstone, sir?'

Aubrey blinked. Stubbs, the driver, was looking at him in the rear vision mirror. Outside the car, two guardsmen held the palace gates open. 'No, Stubbs, let's not go home yet. I need to go to St Margaret's Hospital.'

'Right you are, sir.'

The matron at hospital reception glared at him when he fronted her desk. Aubrey didn't take it personally. It was probably her customary attitude. 'Captain Saltin is not to be disturbed,' she said after he explained the reason for his visit. 'He is still recovering from that awful dirigible crash.'

'I won't be long,' Aubrey said. 'I'd just like to chat with him.'

'He can chat when he's well again.'

'And when will that be?'

'I can't say.'

'Then who can say?'

'The doctors.'

'Can I talk with the doctors then?'

'No. They're busy.'

Aubrey was about to give up in the face of such a formidable defence when a black-uniformed figure marched down the stairs and through the reception area. Aubrey waved and went after him. 'Captain Tallis!'

The Special Services chief stopped. 'Ah, Fitzwilliam,' he said suspiciously. 'What are you doing here?'

'I thought I'd see how our Gallian airman is.' He nodded toward the matron at the reception window. She was following their conversation and frowning. 'But I have substantial impediment.'

'Why didn't you tell her that your father is Prime Minister? That should do the trick.'

Aubrey smiled back at him. That's the last thing I'd do, he thought. If I can't manage by myself, I won't manage at all. 'I thought you could help me. You're providing a guard for Captain Saltin?'

Captain Tallis studied him. Aubrey knew that the Special Services operative didn't have a high regard for him, summing him up as a rich and privileged busybody. While Aubrey couldn't do much about the rich and privileged part of that judgement, he thought that 'busybody' was going too far. 'Albion wouldn't want anything to happen to one of our allies,' Tallis said. 'We want him to be safe.'

'I won't be long,' Aubrey said. 'And I guarantee I won't harm him.'

Tallis grunted and marched to the reception desk. 'He's with me,' he said to the matron.

'Is he really the Prime Minister's son?' she asked, eyes narrowed.

'Oh yes,' Tallis said. 'He has a lot to live up to, doesn't he?'

Aubrey winced. You don't have to tell me that, he thought.

As they mounted the stairs, Tallis glanced at him. 'Have you seen that Miss Hepworth at all lately?'

Aubrey nearly tripped at the unexpectedness of the question, but steadied himself on the handrail. 'Not often. She's been spending time with my mother, though, at the Albion Museum. She's become her assistant, helping with classifying specimens.'

'She hasn't mentioned my offer, then?'

Aubrey stared at him. 'What offer?'

'I thought you knew. After that business with the Sorcerer Royal, I asked if she'd considered a career in the service.' He paused at the landing. 'Competent young lady. Without her, Dr Tremaine's plans to kill the King and throw us into war with Holmland might have succeeded.'

Aubrey felt both irritated and pleased. Irritated because Tallis seemed determined to overlook Aubrey's part in preventing Dr Tremaine's mad plans, but pleased that the Special Services chief recognised Caroline's remarkable talents. Expert markswoman, ornithopter pilot and naturalist, as well as exceptionally talented at hand-to-hand combat, languages and dancing – he could see why Tallis thought she would be an asset.

The Special Services operative outside the ward saluted Captain Tallis and studied Aubrey closely. Inside, the sole occupant sat up in his bed and inspected them quizzically.

'Saltin,' Tallis said. 'This is Mr Aubrey Fitzwilliam. He was the one who saved you.'

'Fitzwilliam!' Captain Saltin said in accented Albionish. 'They told me what you did! I owe you my life! I am in your debt, forever!'